Earlier this week our Year 7 students participated in their first secondary school camp spending three days at Lord Somers Camp on the Mornington Peninsula.  This camp is one of the key elements of our transition program as it encourages and supports the Year 7 students to extend their friendships and connections within their year level while participating in a range of both challenging and fun activities.  It was wonderful to hear from staff who went on the camp that our Year 7’s thoroughly embraced both the activities and the opportunity to deepen their connections. Well done Year 7 and thank you to all staff who went on the camp allowing our students to have this wonderful experience!

At the other end of the school, our Year 12 students recently participated in their three-day retreat in Blampied. The Year 12 Retreat aims to lead students to an increased awareness of themselves and their own spirituality, and to a greater intimacy with their peers and their God. Workshops centred around each of our six core values, inviting students to reflect on how they will live out this value as they ‘go out into the world’ after graduating this year. I was delighted to be able to join the Year 12 students and staff at the Retreat for a workshop on ‘compassion’ and their Mass, which was celebrated by Fr Peter Matheson.  Like our Year 7 students, our Year 12’s also embraced the opportunities that the Retreat provided them to reflect deeply, engage in dialogue with one another and consider how they want to contribute to our community and world.

On Friday 17 March we celebrated St Patrick’s Day, a day which is significant to the Kilbreda College community due to our Irish heritage.  We commenced the day by celebrating Mass in St Brigid’s Chapel during which Fr Peter Matheson blessed our new vestments which were designed and produced by staff.  Later in the day, students and staff were entertained by some traditional Irish dancing from past pupil, Mary Warren (Class of 2019) and a special visit from St Patrick!

As has been advertised at the College, on SIMON/PAM and in this newsletter, we invite and encourage students and their families to participate in the Palm Sunday Walk for Justice for Refugees on Sunday 2 April.  The rally starts at 1.30pm at the State Library in the city so please come along, look for the Kilbreda banner and join us in advocating for justice for the refugees who have fled their home country in search of safety in Australia. I hope to see many members of the Kilbreda community there.

The end of the season of Lent and the start of the Easter Triduum is nearing.    The Easter Triduum marks the end of the forty days of Lent and the beginning of the three-day celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ – Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil/Easter Sunday. As we join with Jesus through his passion, death and resurrection it is a celebration of transformation from death to new life.

We look forward to gathering together as a whole school community for our Easter Liturgy on Wednesday 5 April, which is the final day of the term for students.

An Old Irish Blessing for St. Patrick’s Day

May your days be many and your troubles be few.
May all God’s blessings descend upon you.
May peace be within you, may your heart be strong.
May you find what you’re seeking wherever you roam.
May the strength of God pilot us, may the wisdom of God instruct us.
May the hand of God protect us, may the word of God direct us.
May thy Salvation, O Lord, be always ours this day and for evermore.

Amen.

Nicole Mangelsdorf
Principal